MP Drew Hendry: Everywhere the cost of living crisis is getting graver day by day as he says 'we all know only the UK government can turn the tide but in the absence of that support, we can try to help'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
It has been a busy recess thus far. No matter where I’ve been or whom I’ve been speaking with, one subject has dominated the conversation; the cost of living crisis and the soaring cost of energy.
Even those who might regard themselves as pretty comfortable are looking at eye-watering new demands for gas and electricity.
Our local businesses face the same issues and routinely tell me of increasing costs of tens of thousands of pounds.
Charities and organisations providing refuge and support for vulnerable people don’t know how they will keep the doors open.
Wherever you turn, the situation is getting graver by the day.
Last week, I chaired a local roundtable event on the cost of living and energy crisis to see what we could do to help. Local charities, CAB teams, housing associations, Highland councillors, food banks and business representatives joined me to discuss the crisis in our communities. We all know only the UK government can turn the tide, but in the absence of that support, we can try to help.
Di Alexander, of Highlands Affordable Warmth Group – an expert on these matters, updated the group on the severe impacts inaction on rising energy costs will have on folk over the winter. Unsurprisingly, the message from every organisation was that the situation is already grave for many households.
We agreed to redouble our efforts to ensure our collective Highland voice was heard loud and clear about the energy surcharges we face. On solutions, we also agreed to add our lobbying efforts to the growing demand for a social tariff to protect the most vulnerable households.
Time is running out.
We all know what is needed, and only the UK government can act. The Scottish Government asked for borrowing powers to help Scottish people and were refused.
You’d be forgiven for forgetting a Prime Minister is still in office. Remember how he told us he had to stay in office for stability?
Meaningful action is already well overdue, but the UK government is all but non-existent, the sitting Prime Minister is missing in action, and the prospective future Prime Ministers favour tearing lumps out of each other.
The regulator Ofgem has been brutally negligent and even saw the resignation last week of a long-standing board member.
The UK is in crisis, families are hurtling towards poverty, and the Tories are carrying on regardless, without a care in the world.
